IG Residents
OABCIG board
provide input on visioning plan
hires superintendent search firm
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Ida County’s Official Newspaper
Courier Ida County
Vol. 42, No. 47 Ida Grove, Iowa
w ww.idacountycourier.com
Wednesday,, November 22, 2017 Wednesday
Superintendent resigna on accepted—
News GLIMPSE
O-A/BC-IG boards approve policy changes ❚ by DEB LOGER
From our backyard Page 5
Puzzles Page 7
BC Women's Club learns about China Page 8
O-A/BC-IGHS honor rolls Page 9
Upcoming Events FREE Thanksgiving Day Meal Thursday, November 23 12 Noon
Photo by: Deb Loger | Ida County Courier
Jazz band: The Odebolt-Arthur/Battle Creek-Ida Grove Middle School presented its fall concert Nov. 14 in Bart Ogden Gymnasium in Odebolt. The seventh/eighth grade jazz band, under the direction of Neil Anders, performed “First Class” and “Easy Swingin.” Other groups performing were the sixth grade choir, seventh/eighth grade choir, swing choir, sixth grade band and the seventh/eighth grade band.
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ida Grove
Ba le Creek Lions Club Breakfast Saturday, November 25 7-10 am Community Center Ba le Creek
Ducks Unlimited Banquet Saturday, November 25 5 pm IG Skate Palace
Maple Huskies Soup Lunch Sunday, November 26 10:30 am-1 pm Ba le Creek Fire Sta on
3-Day Forecast Wed 11/22
38° | 28° Partly Cloudy
Thurs 11/23
43° | 39° Sunny
Fri 11/24
61° | 36° Partly Cloudy
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G-H board moves ahead with office addition ❚ by MIKE THORNHILL
The Galva-Holstein School Board conducted a public hearing on an of ice addition during its joint meeting with the Schaller-Crestland board Nov. 13. The G-H board held a public hearing on the central of ice addition to be constructed on the southwest corner of the front of the high school building in Holstein. No one spoke for or against the project. The 3,381 square foot addition is estimated to cost $783,625. Superintendent Jon Wiebers said seven contractors have taken out blueprints on the addition. He added he hopes, with several irms interested in the project, it may drive the cost of construction down. Bids will be opened on Dec. 7 and then presented to the board Dec. 11 for action.
Both boards approved the new whole grade sharing prorations for the 2017-18 school year. The pro-ration rate for the middle school for the irst semester is G-H is 48.9 percent and S-C 51.1 percent. The proration rate for the high school for the irst semester is G-H, 63.4 percent, and S-C, 36.6 percent. Both boards also approved authorizing the school budget review committee application request for additional allowable growth. This year, the G-H district was allowed to increase spending authority by $113,815, due to increasing enrollment. S-C was able to increase spending authority by $27,177. S-C’s igure was broken into $19,773, due to students open enrolled out this year and not during the 201617 school year, and $7,404 for
ELL instruction beyond ive years. The boards approved several resignations and contracts. G-H approved the resignations of JJ Nitz (high school science teacher at the end of the school year) and Justin Birch (G-H custodian). The S-C board approved the resignation of and a retirement incentive request for longtime business manager Julie McClintic, effective Dec. 31. Wiebers noted the district will advertise the opening. He added two individuals have already inquired about the position. S-C also approved resignations from Amy Messerschmitt (bus aide), Lynn Goettsch (special education/preschool aide at the elementary) and Tricia Vohs (middle school volleyball coach). (continued on page 2)
The BC-IG School Board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Terry Kenealy during a joint meeting Nov. 13 in Odebolt. Kenealy’s retirement resignation is effective June 30. Also during the meeting, the O-A/BC-IG Boards approved several board policy changes and School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) requests. In his resignation letter, Kenealy said, “It is with a very heavy heart that I submit to you my letter of resignation for retirement, effective at the end of the current iscal year on June 30, 2018. Honestly, when I accepted your offer of a three-year contract this past spring, I had every intention to ful ill that obligation. However, over the past 18 months or so, my health has not been good, and the past six months, it has been more concerning. So, for health reasons, I am submitting this letter of resignation for retirement. “It has been a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with each of you over the past several years, and I will always cherish my time at OABCIG. In addition, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the administrators, directors, teachers and support staff in each of the district’s buildings. The administrators, directors, teachers and support staff are an amazingly talented, hardworking and dedicated group of individuals who spend their days focused on the students and families they serve. This is a great school system.
“Over the past several years, I have been impressed with the community support for the two school districts displayed by the parents and patrons of all four communities. The pride that those groups have in our school system is obvious, and their willingness to step up and help out at anytime is impressive. These are proud and awesome communities that we serve. “The students enrolled in our schools are some of the best and the brightest that I have had the opportunity to work with over the years, and their spirit and commitment to being Falcons, that we all can be proud of, is outstanding. The future of OABCIG is bright and the potential is unlimited. “I wish all of you the very best. You will never know how grateful I am to have had this opportunity to be part of the great district. Go Falcons.” Both boards waived the irst reading and approved the second reading of the following board policies: 705.1 (purchasing and bidding), 302.2 (superintendent contract and renewal), 303.3 (administrator contract and renewal), 405.5 (licensed employee continuing contracts), 405.9 (licensed employee probationary status), 410.2 (summer school licensed employees), 505.2 (student promotion), 603.2 (summer school instruction) and 905.1 (community use of school district facilities and equipment). School Budget Review (continued on page 2)
Ida County Board of Supervisors canvass votes The Ida County Board of Suopervisors canvassed the Nov. 7 election during its meeting Nov. 14. For the City of Ida Grove’s uncontested races, Devlun Whiteing received 44 votes from ward one; 49 votes from ward two and 22 votes from ward three for 115 votes. For at-large city council member, four-year term, Ryan Goodman received 32 votes from ward one; 42 votes from ward two and 20 votes from ward three for 94 total votes. For ward two council member, a four-year term, Amanda Eason received 42 votes. For ward one, to ill a vacancy of two years, Gregor Ernst received 40 votes. Turnout in Ida Grove was less than 10 percent in each of the wards. Ward one had 9.03 percent; ward two had 9.01 percent
IGCC 19th Hole
Shopping Extravaganza Tuesday, November 28 • 4:30 pm - 8 pm Ida Grove Country Club • 200 E. 2nd St., Ida Grove Come join us to find that perfect gift for your loved ones or something special to treat yourself. A spaghetti dinner and cocktails will also be available for purchase. More information can be found on the Facebook event page. Sponsored by Johnson Propane
and ward three had 5.62 percent for 8.06 percent. In the race for mayor of Battle Creek, Lloyd E. Homes had a 58 to 57 vote lead over Charles Pierce. Pierce had one write-in vote. Dean Fick received 15 write-in votes. There were two scattered votes for a total of 132 votes. For Battle Creek City Council, ive candidates sought three seats. Winners were Myra Meek with 104 votes; Todd Riessen with 84 votes and Judy Schau with 76 votes. Schau beat Saf ire Petersen, who had 75 votes including one absentee. John Peters had 34 votes including one absentee vote. There were seven scattered write-in votes, for 134 total votes cast for council, 380 total in the city, 27.69 percent. For the City of Galva City (continued on page 2)
Photo Submitted
Quilts of valor: Quilts of valor were recently presented to four Ida County residents. From left to right: Pete Madsen, Verdean Bremer, Ann Crawford of Onawa, Ramon Johnson and Dale Meyer. The mission of Quilts of Valor® Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. Quilts can be made by individuals, or they can be part of a quilting chain, which is made up across the nation and then someone puts the blocks together. They then present the quilt to the veteran.
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Come join us for our Annual
Hanging of the Greens Worship Service Battle Creek First Presbyterian Church
Sunday, November 26 • 9:30 am
Celebrating the Traditions and Beauty of Advent and Christmas! EVERYONE WELCOME!
Serving your Community Since 1945
Isaiah 9:6: For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.